HS Athlete In Spotlight: Southington Baseball Player Joe Rivera

April 30, 2014

JOE RIVERASOUTHINGTON

Year: Senior

Height/weight: 6 feet, 165 pounds

Position: Pitcher/center fielder

Accomplishments: Last year he was 7-2 with a 1.38 ERA with 68 strikeouts in 60 2/3 innings and batted .280. ... He threw a complete-game 4-2 semifinal win over Trumbull in a Class LL semifinal with six strikeouts and one walk. ... This season he struck out 11 and allowed three hits and one unearned run in a 2-1 win over Wethersfield, had a no-hitter for 5 1/3 innings and finished with a one-hitter in six innings in a 6-0 victory over Conard. He also tossed five shutout innings in 7-1 victory over Farmington. ... Has 34 strikeouts in 20 2/3 innings with a 0.68 ERA and a .381 batting average.

Coach Charlie Lembo: "When he came up as a sophomore he just threw. He has evolved as a pitcher. He always has had a live arm, and being a center fielder it took a little while to find that proper pitching release point. He's always looking for pitching advice from the coaching staff and whoever he can talk to. He's competitive and very determined. A changeup, which he has added, makes him an even better pitcher. And don't forget, he's a very good center fielder, too."

Pitching or center field?: Pitching because I'm in control of the game. I just feel I have more power on the mound. I like controlling the game, controlling the pace and just showing everything I have."

Favorite player: "Mariano Rivera. He's just a legend, an icon for baseball. The way he represents himself on the mound and how he carries himself on and off the field. He really inspired me — and he has a pretty good last name, too."

Thoughts on Southington's Class LL final loss last year: "It [4-0 loss to Amity-Woodbridge] was very disappointing because you got so close and worked so hard for it to end that way. What it did was to motivate us and make us work harder to get back there."

Last movie seen: "'Lone Survivor.' I loved it because it's about four American soldiers left behind in Afghanistan, They showed pride in their country and toughed it out to get back to their base and to finish their mission."

Game rituals: "I've worn the same undershirt under my jersey for the past two or three years. I don't like to change routines, especially after I had a good game in it. The shirt has a few holes in it, but I feel comfortable in it. In the dugout I put my glove and stuff in the same spot. If you're facing our home dugout my stuff is just to the right of the pole in the middle of it. I look for the same spot to sit on the road."

Miscellaneous: Throws and bats right-handed. . . Signed a letter of intent with UConn Nov. 13, 2013. . . "Besides baseball, UConn had one thing I was looking to study, kinesiology [the scientific study of human movement]. Physical therapy is an area of interest for me. UConn has one of the top kinesiology programs in the country."